AWD Sway Bar thread

[Oggy]

Hi guys,

my next mod is a rear sway bar, and I can't see a Sway Bar thread in the AWD section, so maybe this can become a repository for valid info - eg: opinions, experiences, sources of products and prices.

Below is my story, but first some specifics which I hope to update with latest details and keep this thread current.

Sources and prices (as at October 1, 2009 but they could vary at any time).
for an 18mm Adjustable Rear sway bar for 03/04 Magna AWD:
www.phillcomrally.com - forum link Forum Link #2. NB: Prices are from 2006 so expect to pay more!
www.Selbys.com.au - actual manufacturer, approx $245 for 18mm or $270 for custom ordered 20mm adjustable rear bar.
www.onautos.com.au - $270 for 18mm adjustable rear sway bar, currently has a coupon for free shipping "EBAY".
www.Whiteline.com.au - ?
www.k-mac.com.au - Update: 20mm adjustable rear bar is $340 at Oct 2009. Adjustable on slide mounts, not 3 holes, see web for details.
And apparently Supercheap for $220 at some point in time https://www.aussiemagna.net/forums/sh...light=AWD+Sway


From reading as many AWD sway bar discussions as I can find, it seems that the rear sway bar is deemed the best single mod for our AWDs, probably because once understeer begins, the rear drive pushes the car forwards into more understeer (to paraphrase a Josh that put it that way ).

Recently I've had some private road practice in my car on wet tarmac. It can actually develop power oversteer with the factory sway bar, wheels and tyres.
I've only experienced one instance of major understeer and a few minor ones. All were corrected by lifting off the gas and waiting

But either way, I'm not happy with the body roll, so a bigger sway bar is more than likely going on.

I've compared onautos.com.au and Selby's direct.
Selby's was just a bit cheaper with pickup, but then I asked for a custom '20mm' adjustable rear sway bar and that would be $270.

I am not sure if an off the shelf 18mm sway bar will be enough of a difference over the factory 16mm sway bar, or if a custom 20mm adjustable bar from Selby's would be too much! Would I be going too far with 20mm considering it's a road car, not a track car? Since its adjustable, will I have enough flexibility to select a softer 'setting' ?

So, what's the behavioural differences between 16mm, 18mm adjustable or larger rear sway bars? I'd love to hear other's experiences on an AWD Magna/Verada.

Bit of imperial measurements, courtesy of a PDF from Selby's website:

Sway Bar    Percentage
Diameter   Stiffer than 16mm
  18mm          60%
  19mm          99%
  20mm         144%
  21mm         197%
  22mm         257%

[spud100]

I have the 18 mm adjustable bar fitted.

Set on the hardest setting with the thicker front bar as well.

This is definitely the first modification that you should do, as long as you get a bar that has been manufactured correctly.


HOWEVER, I had a look under the car and have found several major problems because the aftermarket Whiteline bar has not been made correctly.
1) There is a big upward semicircle in the bar on the RHS, this is to clear the exhaust pipe. However it hits very hard on the front face of the spare wheel well. At rest, unladed, there is minimal clearance between the bar and the body owrk!!

2) The bar is too wide. This means that the link are not vertical.

3) The bar is not straight where it goes through the bushes. This measn that the bar "walks" sideways over time. Then the links are way off vertical. Probable risk of damage to the link ends becasue of this.

I am now going after Whitleine as this is "not fit for purpose".

Gerry

[zero]

I have the 18 mm adjustable bar fitted.

Set on the hardest setting with the thicker front bar as well.

This is definitely the first modification that you should do, as long as you get a bar that has been manufactured correctly.


HOWEVER, I had a look under the car and have found several major problems because the aftermarket Whiteline bar has not been made correctly.
1) There is a big upward semicircle in the bar on the RHS, this is to clear the exhaust pipe. However it hits very hard on the front face of the spare wheel well. At rest, unladed, there is minimal clearance between the bar and the body owrk!!

2) The bar is too wide. This means that the link are not vertical.

3) The bar is not straight where it goes through the bushes. This measn that the bar "walks" sideways over time. Then the links are way off vertical. Probable risk of damage to the link ends becasue of this.

I am now going after Whitleine as this is "not fit for purpose".

Gerry

Hi Gerry, Whiteline don't make them anymore, Selby's have taken over.
There's a kit you can get to stop the the sideways movement.

[spud100]

Zero,
I am well aware of that.
However my bar was made by Whiteline, therefore it is their problem as in my opinion the bar "is not fit for use".
I have posted up a query on their discussion forum, also taken a snapshot in case it is "accidently" deleted to see what the reaction is.

Tuesday I will call them and let everyone know what the response is.

Also as an alert to anyone else to check a new bar against the OE one so they do not experience the same problems.

Thanks for the info, I certainly did not know about the kit.

Any info on where it can be obtained and what is is.??



Gerry

[zero]

Gerry, Whiteline make one, Lateral movement lock kit...WO450(size)- 2X POLY RINGS and S.Steel hose clamps.

[Drug2u]

what about fitting progressive rate springs (if available) ? I have found with other vehicles i have they are a better solution than swaybars.

[fat35l]

adjustable konis make alot of difference too

[whiteawd]

I went with k Mac, very satisfactory result and service

[FamilyWagon]

Totally agree on a thicker sway bar being the first MUST DO mod to an AWD.
Amazing how much it transfrorms the car.

I have the adjustable whiteline. I have had the experience of the bar 'walking from side to side' but no longer does it. Did for a few months but then stopped.
Never had an issue with the clearance with the lump to the body.

[Oggy]

WhiteAWD, what did you get done? What parts? Did they install them too?

K-Mac gave me a price of $340 for a 20mm adjustable rear bar (and $195 for a pair of progressive rate springs) which I'm pretty sure is not fitted, but they didn't say.